§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the design capacity of the Barton high level bridge section of the M63 motorway; what is the current traffic flow over it; and by how much he estimates it will increase in the future.
§ Mrs. ChalkerBarton high level bridge was designed as a dual 2 lane motorway which under present day design criteria would have a capacity of up to 56,000 vehicles per 16 hour day (vpd). The present flow over the bridge is 75,000 vpd and I estimate that this might increase to between 83,000 and 100,000 vpd by the year 2001.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received any objections by individuals or organisations directly and adversely affected by the proposal to widen the M63 motorway over Barton high level bridge; why he has decided to hold a public inquiry into the scheme; and for how long this is expected to delay commencement of the improvement of this length of motorway.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI have received objections from three individuals and organisations which regard the proposals as adversely affecting their interests. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport decided to hold a public inquiry because of the nature of objections received. Progress will now depend upon the conduct and outcome of the inquiry. Commencement of works could be delayed by up to a year.